RESUMO
This study aimed to investigate the effects of Brazilian propolis on body fat mass and levels of adiponectin and reactive oxygen species among community-dwelling elderly females. This was a double-blind randomized placebo-controlled trial. Altogether, 78 females aged 66-84 years were randomly assigned to the propolis (PRO; n = 39) or placebo (PLA; n = 39) group. For 12 weeks, the PRO group were given three capsules containing 227 mg of propolis twice a day. Meanwhile, the PLA group were given daily placebo capsules. Of 78 participants, 53 (PLA group: n = 28, PRO group: n = 25) completed the study. Although no changes were observed in absolute or relative fat mass in the PLA group, they showed a significant decline in the PRO group. The level of serum adiponectin in the PLA group did not change, although that of the PRO group significantly increased. The level of d-ROMs in the PLA group significantly increased, whereas that of the PRO group significantly decreased. The serum SOD activity in the PLA group significantly decreased, whereas that of the PRO group tended to increase. These results suggest that propolis supplementation may decrease body fat mass and oxidative stress among community-dwelling elderly females.
Assuntos
Própole , Idoso , Feminino , Humanos , Adiponectina , Tecido Adiposo , Brasil , Suplementos Nutricionais , Vida Independente , Estresse Oxidativo , Poliésteres , Própole/farmacologia , Própole/uso terapêutico , Idoso de 80 Anos ou maisRESUMO
The protective effects of Brazilian propolis on capillary regression induced by chronically neuromuscular inactivity were investigated in rat soleus muscle. Four groups of male Wistar rat were used in this study; control (CON), control plus Brazilian propolis supplementation (CON + PP), 2-week hindlimb unloading (HU), and 2-week hindlimb unloading plus Brazilian propolis supplementation (HU + PP). The rats in the CON + PP and HU + PP groups received two oral doses of 500 mg/kg Brazilian propolis daily (total daily dose 1000 mg/kg) for 2 weeks. Unloading resulted in a decrease in capillary number, luminal diameter, and capillary volume, and an increase in the expression of anti-angiogenic factors, such as p53 and TSP-1, within the soleus muscle. Brazilian propolis supplementation, however, prevented these changes in capillary structure due to unloading through the stimulation of pro-angiogenic factors and suppression of anti-angiogenic factors. These results suggest that Brazilian propolis is a potential non-drug therapeutic agent against capillary regression induced by chronic unloading.